Mike Fitzgeraldnull – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Mike Fitzgerald, the former Major League Baseball catcher, called it a career in 1992 after a solid run behind the plate. He spent nine seasons in the majors, mostly with the Montreal Expos (1985-1991) after starting out with the New York Mets. Fitzgerald’s steady glove and occasional pop made him a dependable guy for his teams through the ‘80s and into the early ‘90s.

Born in Long Beach, California in 1960, Fitzgerald worked his way up from the Mets as their main catcher before Gary Carter arrived, and later became a familiar face in Montreal. At 6 feet tall and 185 pounds, he wasn’t flashy, but people respected his toughness and knack for calling a game. He wrapped up his career with the California Angels, hanging it up after the 1992 season.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Mike Fitzgerald’s path to the majors started out in Long Beach, California, where he was born on July 13, 1960. Those early years, playing ball in his hometown, really shaped the player he’d become.

Youth Baseball and Local Success

Growing up, Fitzgerald honed his skills at Lakewood High School in California. He was a right-handed catcher who showed promise from the jump, especially with his defense. Local scouts noticed his baseball IQ and strong arm.

By the time he finished high school, Fitzgerald was already known as one of the top catching prospects in Southern California. He stood out for his ability to work with pitchers and control a game from behind the plate.

His family had his back the whole way. That support made it possible for him to put in the hours, balancing ball with schoolwork.

Transition to Professional Baseball

The New York Mets drafted Fitzgerald in the 6th round, which kicked off his pro journey. Still, he had to prove himself in the minors first.

Jumping from high school ball to pro ball wasn’t easy—the competition was tougher, and he had to keep sharpening his game. Those minor league years, from 1980 to 1983, were all about picking up the finer points of catching and figuring out how to work with professional pitchers. He kept moving up the ladder, showing enough with the bat and glove to keep the dream alive.

Path to the Major Leagues

Getting to the majors took a ton of effort and grit for Fitzgerald. The minors tested him, but they also got him ready for his big shot with the New York Mets in the early ‘80s.

Spring Training Highlights

Fitzgerald made a name for himself during spring training. In the early ‘80s, he caught the attention of Mets coaches thanks to his defensive chops and the way he worked with pitchers.

In 1983, Fitzgerald really broke through at spring training. His quick release and strong arm stood out, and manager George Bamberger took notice.

“I just tried to show them I could handle the pitching staff and help out defensively,” Fitzgerald said at the time. He showed up early for drills, worked hard in exhibition games, and made it clear he was ready for the next step.

Debut With the New York Mets

Fitzgerald got his first taste of the majors with the New York Mets on September 13, 1983, at Shea Stadium. He was 23 and called up late in the season as the Mets wanted to see what their young guys could do.

He debuted against the Pittsburgh Pirates, showing off the defense that would be his calling card. Sure, he was nervous, but he managed the pitchers well.

That year, Fitzgerald played in 13 games, picking up 9 hits and finishing with a .196 average. The bat was a work in progress, but the coaches liked his game-calling.

By 1984, Fitzgerald was a regular part of the Mets’ catching crew. Not long after, he became part of the big trade that brought Gary Carter to New York.

Career with the New York Mets

Fitzgerald’s big league story started with the Mets, where he built a reputation as a promising catcher in the early ‘80s before heading to Montreal in the Carter trade.

Rookie of the Year Considerations

He debuted with the Mets in 1983, and people quickly noticed his defense. He didn’t win Rookie of the Year, but he got some votes for his steady play.

In his rookie year, he hit .242 with 5 homers over 89 games. Manager George Bamberger kept giving him more playing time as the season went on, seeing the potential.

Veteran pitcher Tom Seaver, back with the Mets in 1983, appreciated how Fitzgerald handled the staff. The coaches worked with him, and he picked up the nuances of the position fast.

Key Teammates and Coaches

Fitzgerald shared the field with several future stars who’d help the Mets win it all in 1986. He caught for young pitchers and worked with infielders who benefited from his defense.

Keith Hernandez arrived in 1983, giving Fitzgerald a Gold Glove target at first. Their teamwork made the defense even tighter.

Notable Teammates:

• Darryl Strawberry (rookie in 1983)
• Keith Hernandez (joined June 1983)
• Ron Darling (debuted September 1983)

Davey Johnson took over as manager in 1984, Fitzgerald’s last year with the Mets, and started shaping the team into a contender.

Notable Performances and Milestones

Fitzgerald’s biggest Mets moment at Shea Stadium happened on September 7, 1983—he homered in his first MLB at-bat, something not many players can say.

In 1984, he became the Mets’ main catcher, playing 112 games and hitting .242 with 8 home runs and 41 RBIs.

His defense kept getting better, and by 1984 he was throwing out 33% of would-be base stealers. Pitchers liked his ability to block balls and frame pitches.

That December, the Mets traded him (along with Hubie Brooks, Floyd Youmans, and Herm Winningham) to the Expos for Gary Carter.

Montreal Expos Era

Fitzgerald headed to the Expos in December 1984 in the deal that sent Gary Carter to New York. His years in Montreal, from 1985 through his retirement in 1992, made up most of his MLB career.

Becoming a Starting Catcher

Right away, Fitzgerald became the Expos’ main catcher. Unlike in New York, he now played just about every day. In his first year in Montreal, he logged over 100 games, showing off his defense.

He built a strong relationship with the Expos’ pitchers, and managers valued his game-calling.

He wasn’t a big bat, but he chipped in enough offense, usually hitting around .240 those first few years.

Comparisons With Hubie Brooks

Fitzgerald and Hubie Brooks both landed in Montreal in the same trade, but their careers went in different directions. Brooks became an offensive force for the Expos, making two All-Star teams, while Fitzgerald stuck to his defensive strengths.

Here’s a quick look:

Player	Primary Contribution	All-Star Appearances	Best Season with Expos
Mike Fitzgerald	Defense, Game Calling	0	1987 (.262 BA)
Hubie Brooks	Offensive Production	2	1986 (.340 BA, 14 HR)

Both guys, in their own way, helped keep the Expos competitive in the NL East through the late ‘80s.

Performance in the National League

Moving to the National League with the Expos meant facing new pitchers and ballparks. Fitzgerald built his reputation as a defensive specialist in a division full of tough arms.

His best year at the plate was 1987—he hit .262 with 27 RBIs. Not eye-popping, but it worked for what the team needed.

He caught against some of the league’s best, including the Mets’ rotation and the Cardinals’ speedy lineup. His prep work and game plans helped Expos pitchers get through tough games.

By the early ‘90s, Fitzgerald saw his playing time drop. His last season in 1992 closed out nearly a decade with the Expos.

San Francisco Giants and Later Playing Years

Fitzgerald eventually headed back west, playing for the Giants and then finishing up in the American League. He kept his reputation as a reliable defensive catcher, always good at handling a pitching staff.

Time With the Giants

After leaving the Expos, Fitzgerald joined the San Francisco Giants in the late ‘80s. He mostly worked as a backup, stepping in when needed and providing a steady glove.

The Giants’ coaches valued his pitch-calling and the way he worked with their rotation. He wasn’t a big hitter, but he came through with timely knocks now and then. Plus, he helped mentor some of the younger catchers.

The Giants often paired him with certain pitchers who liked his style. His time in San Francisco really cemented his rep as a defensive catcher.

American League Experiences

Fitzgerald wrapped up his career in the American League, mainly with the California Angels. He took over as their starting catcher for a season before retiring in 1992.

Switching leagues meant learning new pitchers and facing AL hitters. Teams liked having his veteran presence behind the plate.

With the DH rule, the Angels could focus on Fitzgerald’s defense without worrying too much about his bat. That helped him stick around a bit longer.

He caught for several notable pitchers in the AL, and his game-calling stayed sharp even as younger guys started coming up.

By 1992, after almost a decade in the majors, Fitzgerald decided it was time to move on from pro baseball. He left behind a career built on defense and dependability.

Statistical Achievements and Playing Style

Mike Fitzgerald’s career stats really paint the picture of a catcher who put defense first. He spent nine seasons in Major League Baseball, and while his bat wasn’t always the loudest, he was steady behind the plate—just the kind of guy you want handling your pitchers. He focused on solid defense and chipped in some power at the plate now and then.

Batting Average and RBIs

Fitzgerald wrapped up his career with a .235 batting average, which sat a bit below what most hitters managed in his era. His best year with the bat came in 1984 for the Mets, when he hit .242 over 112 games.

He drove in 169 runs in 848 games, and while he didn’t have huge RBI seasons, he managed to stay fairly steady most years. Those numbers dipped a bit toward the end, especially in his last couple of seasons.

By 1992, his final year, Fitzgerald really struggled at the plate. Road games gave him a hard time; he played 49 away games, picked up just 21 hits in 97 at-bats, and managed to drive in only 10 runs. Not exactly a storybook finish, but that’s baseball.

He often worked deep counts and drew his share of walks, which helped boost his on-base numbers even when the hits weren’t falling in.

Power Hitting and Home Runs

Fitzgerald wasn’t the guy you’d expect to hit a ball out every night, but he flashed some pop now and then—he finished with 48 homers across nine seasons. For a catcher in the ‘80s and early ‘90s, that’s not too shabby.

Home Run Production by Season:

• Career high: 9 home runs (he pulled that off twice)
• Final season (1992): 3 home runs in road games
• Career slugging percentage: .353

He didn’t really have that classic power swing—more of a line-drive hitter—but he could catch a pitcher off guard and send one out. His home runs rarely traveled ridiculous distances, but they counted the same.

Sometimes, in big moments, he came through with extra-base hits, but honestly, teams kept him around more for his defensive skills than anything he did with the bat.

Fielding and Defensive Contributions

Fitzgerald’s real bread and butter was defense. He handled catching duties with a .985 fielding percentage over his career. Pitchers and coaches trusted his glove work and his knack for calling a good game.

Some defensive highlights:

• He had a strong arm and didn’t let many runners steal on him.
• He could frame pitches well, even though nobody tracked that stat back then.
• Passed balls were rare—he blocked pitches like a pro.
• Occasionally, he even played outfield, which says something about his versatility.

Pitchers liked throwing to him. Fitzgerald got to know their strengths, quirks, and what made them tick. He hardly ever made errors behind the plate, and that reliability carried him through to the end of his career with the California Angels in 1992.

Memorable Games and Career Highlights

Across a decade in the majors, Fitzgerald had his share of memorable moments. He wasn’t always in the spotlight, but he left his mark with both his glove and, sometimes, his bat.

World Series and Playoff Appearances

Fitzgerald’s biggest team moment happened pretty early, with the Mets. He didn’t stick around for their 1986 World Series win, but he helped build the foundation for that championship squad.

After the Mets traded him to the Expos in 1985, Fitzgerald got close to postseason play in 1987. That year, the Expos finished just four games back. He handled a talented pitching staff, including Dennis Martinez and Pascual Perez, and showed off his defensive chops.

Later, with the California Angels, Fitzgerald played for teams that flirted with contention, but they never quite made it to October during his run. Managers appreciated his steady game-calling, even if the teams didn’t make a playoff push.

Notable Victories and Personal Records

Fitzgerald played in 848 big league games and finished with a .235 average—maybe not eye-popping, but he stuck around for a reason.

One game that stands out: June 14, 1986. Fitzgerald blasted two homers against the Pirates, which was a rare power outburst for him. He once drove in five runs in a game, and managed that feat twice during his Montreal days.

Defensively, he often ranked near the top in caught stealing percentage. In 1988, he threw out 42% of runners trying to swipe a base—well above the norm.

At 6-0 and 185 pounds, Fitzgerald wasn’t the biggest guy, but he played smart. Pitchers respected his game-calling, and teammates liked having him around the clubhouse.

Key Teammates, Opponents, and Influencers

Over his ten years in the bigs, from 1983 to 1992, Fitzgerald got to play with and against some real legends. His time with the Mets, Expos, and Angels put him in the same dugout—or on the same field—as Hall of Famers and other stars who helped define that era.

Legendary Players and Hall of Famers

Fitzgerald shared the clubhouse with future Hall of Famers and some true icons. As a rookie on the Mets, he worked closely with first baseman Keith Hernandez, who set the standard for defensive play and clutch hitting. Hernandez took young catchers like Fitzgerald under his wing.

Across the diamond, Fitzgerald found himself facing Pete Rose, who was chasing Ty Cobb’s hit record at the time. Facing the tail end of the Big Red Machine wasn’t exactly a walk in the park.

He also squared off with catching greats like Johnny Bench and Carlton Fisk. Those guys changed the way people thought about the catcher position, and Fitzgerald seemed to pick up a thing or two from watching them.

Notable Season Matchups

The 1986 season was memorable for Fitzgerald. He went up against his old Mets teammates—guys like Dwight Gooden and Darryl Strawberry—right as they were hitting their stride.

In Montreal, Fitzgerald built a strong rapport with pitchers like Mark Eichhorn and Steve Frey. Those partnerships produced some of his best defensive seasons.

Later, with the Angels, Fitzgerald caught for Jim Abbott, the one-handed pitcher who inspired just about everyone. He also teamed up with Chad Curtis and had to figure out how to pitch to up-and-coming hitters like Carlos Baerga and Steve Sax.

Trade History and Team Transitions

Fitzgerald’s career path zigzagged through a few organizations after he started with the Mets. The trades he was involved in shaped his career and, honestly, made a real impact on the teams he played for.

Major Trades and Their Impact

The biggest move came early—when the Mets traded Fitzgerald to the Expos in a deal that brought Gary Carter to New York. That December 1984 trade changed everything for both clubs.

The Mets leaned on Carter to win the 1986 title, while Fitzgerald stepped into the starting catcher role for Montreal. This wasn’t some blockbuster that grabbed headlines for weeks, but it showed how even less-heralded players could be crucial to big trades.

After six seasons with the Expos, Fitzgerald moved to the California Angels in 1991. The Angels needed a veteran behind the plate, and Fitzgerald fit the bill.

Short Stints With Other Teams

Besides his main stops with the Mets, Expos, and Angels, Fitzgerald bounced around a bit. He never made the regular season roster for teams like the Pirates or Braves, but he did spend time in their minor league systems and spring training.

He worked his way up through the minors from 1978-1983, finally making his MLB debut. After 1992, he tried to stick around in the minors for a bit, hoping for another shot.

His time with the Angels was short, but he brought veteran leadership and a steady glove—just what you want from a backup catcher wrapping up a career.

Retirement and Post-Baseball Life

Fitzgerald called it a career in 1992 after ten seasons in the majors, and that opened up a whole new chapter for him.

Decision to Retire in 1992

He played one season as the Angels’ starting catcher before deciding to walk away in 1992. At 32, after a decade behind the plate, he figured it was time.

A lot of guys from that early ‘90s stretch started moving on around then. Fitzgerald’s career didn’t make him a superstar, but lasting ten years as a big league catcher is no small feat.

The physical grind probably played a big role. Catching is brutal on the body—squatting for hundreds of innings every season takes a toll, and most catchers just can’t keep it up forever.

Life After Major League Baseball

After he retired, Fitzgerald mostly kept to himself, steering clear of the spotlight that draws in so many former players. Some guys jump straight into broadcasting or coaching gigs, but not him. He spent seven seasons with the Montreal Expos and wrapped up his playing days with the Angels, then just slipped out of the public eye.

A lot of retired athletes seem to have a tough time adjusting, but Fitzgerald? He seemed to handle the shift pretty well. There isn’t much out there about his business moves or family—public records don’t really fill in those blanks—but it looks like he managed the transition to regular life better than most.

His career stretched across a pretty fascinating chapter in baseball history. He started with the Mets in the early ‘80s and finished up in the early ‘90s, right before the 1994 strike changed everything.